Unfriendly to Liberty: Loyalist Networks and the Coming of the American Revolution in New York City

Most histories of the American Revolution focus on those who became  “patriots,” or revolutionaries. The standard narrative tracks their  activism from the mid-1760s until the Battles of Lexington and Concord.  This story, however, misunderstands and omits the importance of those  who became loyalists in the American Revolution. Many, if not most,  future loyalists opposed the British Parliament’s reorientation of the  British Empire—just like those who became patriots. This talk will focus  on a group of New Yorkers who became loyalists and document their paths  to the American Revolution. In doing so, it will challenge traditional  understandings of not only loyalists but also the coming of the American  Revolution, the origins of American political practice, and the history  of New York City.

Speaker Bio:

Christopher F. Minty is an editor at the Center for Digital Editing the University  of Virginia. He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Stirling.

In-person tickets:

Seating  is limited. Call 914-965-4027 or email sarah.johnson@parks.ny.gov to  reserve your spot. Tickets are $6 for adults, $3 for seniors and  students, pay at the door. Doors open at 6:45 PM. Museum open 10 am to 5  pm.

Virtual Tickets:

Virtual attendance via WebEx is free, but registration is required. Click here to register for virtual.